Syesha Mercado, left, and Donna Summer are seen on stage during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Syesha Mercado, left, and Donna Summer are seen on stage during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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America pop singer Donna Summer, who won international fame for her sexy interpretation of pop songs, gestures during a recent press conference in Rome,October 13, 1977, where she was scheduled to give a concert. (AP Photo) less

America pop singer Donna Summer, who won international fame for her sexy interpretation of pop songs, gestures during a recent press conference in Rome,October 13, 1977, where she was scheduled to give a ... more

Singer Donna Summer holds her award at the Billboard Number 1 Music Awards in Santa Monica, Ca., Dec. 11, 1977. Summer was given the top disco artist of the year award. (AP Photo)

Singer Donna Summer holds her award at the Billboard Number 1 Music Awards in Santa Monica, Ca., Dec. 11, 1977. Summer was given the top disco artist of the year award. (AP Photo)

Photo: AP1977

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Donna Summer performing during UNICEF benefit in New York City on January 9, 1979. (AP Photo)

Donna Summer performing during UNICEF benefit in New York City on January 9, 1979. (AP Photo)

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Singer Donna Summer poses with three awards she won at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Jan. 12, 1979. Summer won for favorite female vocalist; favorite single record, "Last Dance"; and favorite album "Live and More" in a newly-created disco category. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) less

Singer Donna Summer poses with three awards she won at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Jan. 12, 1979. Summer won for favorite female vocalist; favorite single record, "Last Dance"; and favorite ... more

Photo: NICK UT, STF

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Singer Donna Summer, holding her Grammy, is embraced by composer Paul Jabara at the 21st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Feb. 15, 1979. Summer won top female rhythm and blues performer for "Last Dance" written by Jabara, who also won a Grammy for the same song for best instrumental composition. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon) less

American singer Rita Coolidge, left, receives an award from Donna Summer during ceremonies at the 8th Tokyo Music Festival at Tokyo's Budokan Hall, Japan, Sunday, June 17, 1979. Coolidge sang "Don't Cry Out Loud" for the $14,285 grand prize. (AP Photo) less

American singer Rita Coolidge, left, receives an award from Donna Summer during ceremonies at the 8th Tokyo Music Festival at Tokyo's Budokan Hall, Japan, Sunday, June 17, 1979. Coolidge sang "Don't Cry Out ... more

Photo: AP1979

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Singer Donna Summer swings the skirt of her leopard print dress as she performs during her concert at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Ca., Wednesday night, Aug. 11, 1979. (AP Photo)

Singer Donna Summer swings the skirt of her leopard print dress as she performs during her concert at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Ca., Wednesday night, Aug. 11, 1979. (AP Photo)

Photo: ADLEN, STR

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Singer Donna Summer swings the skirt of her leopard print dress as she performs during her concert at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Ca., Wednesday night, Aug. 11, 1979. (AP Photo)

Singer Donna Summer swings the skirt of her leopard print dress as she performs during her concert at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Ca., Wednesday night, Aug. 11, 1979. (AP Photo)

Photo: Anonymous, STR

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Disco singing star Donna Summer, center, tries to quiet the audience for Betty Ford at a disco-party, Beverly Hills, Thursday, Nov. 2, 1979 benefit for the Betty Ford Cancer. Former President Gerald Ford, his wife Betty and Ms. Summer were among nearly 1,000 persons attending the $500-a-couple dinner and dance at the Beverly Hilton benefiting the cancer research canter of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. (AP Photo/Saxon) less

Disco singing star Donna Summer, center, tries to quiet the audience for Betty Ford at a disco-party, Beverly Hills, Thursday, Nov. 2, 1979 benefit for the Betty Ford Cancer. Former President Gerald Ford, his ... more

Gerald and Betty Ford do an approximation of a disco-style dance at the Donna Summer Disco Party benefiting the Betty Ford Cancer Center of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Thursday, Nov. 2, 1979 in Beverly Hills, Calif. About 1000 people paid $500 a couple to attend the benefit and party at the Beverly Hilton hotel. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) less

Gerald and Betty Ford do an approximation of a disco-style dance at the Donna Summer Disco Party benefiting the Betty Ford Cancer Center of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Thursday, Nov. 2, 1979 in Beverly ... more

Photo: Reed Saxon, STF

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Singer Donna Summer poses with her award at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Jan. 18, 1980. Summer was named favorite female vocalist in both pop and soul categories, and her rendition of "Bad Girls" was named favorite pop single. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) less

Singer Donna Summer poses with her award at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Jan. 18, 1980. Summer was named favorite female vocalist in both pop and soul categories, and her rendition of "Bad ... more

Photo: NICK UT, STF

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From left clockwise, Ronnie Isley, O'Kelly Isley, Marvin Hamlisch, Neil Diamond, Donna Summer and Bradley Bogart, 10, sing during memorial services held for Neil Bogart in Culver City, Calif., May 11, 1982. Bogart died of cancer at age 39 on Saturday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) less

Vice President Al Gore declines to sing when offered the chance by singer Donna Summer, far right, at a fundraiser in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999. Joining Gore and Summer are singers Lindsay Ridgeway, second from left, and Shane Minor. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) less

Vice President Al Gore declines to sing when offered the chance by singer Donna Summer, far right, at a fundraiser in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1999. Joining Gore and Summer are singers Lindsay ... more

Photo: MARK HUMPHREY, STF

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Singer songwriter Donna Summer belts out her hit "Dim All the Lights" during Tin Pan South festival week at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 3, 2001. Members of the Nashville Songwriters Association International are gathered in the nation's songwriting capital for the Tin Pan South festival through Saturday. (AP Photo/John Russell) less

Singer songwriter Donna Summer belts out her hit "Dim All the Lights" during Tin Pan South festival week at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 3, 2001. Members of the Nashville ... more

Photo: JOHN RUSSELL, STR

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Singer Donna Summer, left, and Bette Midler pose for photographers before attending Midler's sixth annual "Hulaween" event to benefit the New York Restoration Project in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. The New York Restoration Project was founded by Midler in 1995 and is devoted to revitalizing and developing parks and community gardens. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) less

Singer Donna Summer, left, and Bette Midler pose for photographers before attending Midler's sixth annual "Hulaween" event to benefit the New York Restoration Project in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. ... more

Photo: DIANE BONDAREFF, STR

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Bette Midler, left, and singer Donna Summer pose for photographers before attending Midler's sixth annual "Hulaween" event to benefit the New York Restoration Project in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. The New York Restoration Project was founded by Midler in 1995 and is devoted to revitalizing and developing parks and community gardens. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) less

Bette Midler, left, and singer Donna Summer pose for photographers before attending Midler's sixth annual "Hulaween" event to benefit the New York Restoration Project in New York, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. The ... more

Photo: DIANE BONDAREFF, STR

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Singer Donna Summer holds up copies of her new book titled "Ordinary Girl ... Donna Summer" and a new CD of her greatest hits titled "The Journey -The Very Best of Donna Summer" prior to an autograph signing session at a London music store, Wednesday June 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis) less

Singer Donna Summer holds up copies of her new book titled "Ordinary Girl ... Donna Summer" and a new CD of her greatest hits titled "The Journey -The Very Best of Donna Summer" prior to an autograph signing ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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Singer Donna Summer sits at a desk before a signing session for her new book and a CD of her new greatest hits titled "The Journey - The Very Best of Donna Summer," held at a Central London music store, Wednesday June 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis) less

Singer Donna Summer sits at a desk before a signing session for her new book and a CD of her new greatest hits titled "The Journey - The Very Best of Donna Summer," held at a Central London music store, ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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U.S. singer songwriter Donna Summer poses for photographers ahead of a signing session of her new book titled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer' held at a Central London music store, Wednesday June 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis) less

U.S. singer songwriter Donna Summer poses for photographers ahead of a signing session of her new book titled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer' held at a ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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U.S. singer songwriter Donna Summer poses for photographers ahead of a signing session of her new book titled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer' held at a Central London music store, Wednesday June 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis) less

U.S. singer songwriter Donna Summer poses for photographers ahead of a signing session of her new book titled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer' held at a ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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U.S. singer songwriter Donna Summer sits at a desk ahead of a signing session for her new book entitled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer', held at a Central London music store, Wednesday June 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis) less

U.S. singer songwriter Donna Summer sits at a desk ahead of a signing session for her new book entitled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer', held at a Central ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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** FILE ** In this June 16, 2004 file photo, Donna Summer is shown at an appearance in London. Summer's new album, "Crayons," is her first full studio album in 17 years. Her tour kicks off Saturday, July 5, 2008 in Vienna, Va. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis, file) less

** FILE ** In this June 16, 2004 file photo, Donna Summer is shown at an appearance in London. Summer's new album, "Crayons," is her first full studio album in 17 years. Her tour kicks off Saturday, July 5, ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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U.S. singer-songwriter Donna Summer holds up copies of her new book titled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer' ahead of a signing session held at a London music store, Wednesday, June 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis) less

U.S. singer-songwriter Donna Summer holds up copies of her new book titled 'Ordinary Girl' and her new greatest hits album titled 'The Very Best of Donna Summer' ahead of a signing session held at a London ... more

Photo: RICHARD LEWIS, STF

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**FILE** Donna Summer performs on April 11, 2005 at the Beacon Theater in New York. She joins Madonna, heartland rocker John Mellencamp, the puckish rappers Beastie Boys and premier dance act Chic among the nine nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who were announced Friday, Sept. 28, 2007..(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin) less

**FILE** Donna Summer performs on April 11, 2005 at the Beacon Theater in New York. She joins Madonna, heartland rocker John Mellencamp, the puckish rappers Beastie Boys and premier dance act Chic among the ... more

Photo: STEPHEN CHERNIN, STR

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Disco queen Donna Summer performs during the VH1 Save the Music concert Monday April 11, 2005 at the Beacon Theater in New York. Save the Music is a a nonprofit foundation dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by helping to restore music programs.(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin) less

Disco queen Donna Summer performs during the VH1 Save the Music concert Monday April 11, 2005 at the Beacon Theater in New York. Save the Music is a a nonprofit foundation dedicated to improving the quality of ... more

Photo: STEPHEN CHERNIN, STR

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**FILE**Nile Rodgers, left, and singer Sylver Sharp, right, perform with their disco-funk group Chic during the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland on July 14, 2005. They join Madonna, heartland rocker John Mellencamp, the puckish rappers Beastie Boys and disco singer Donna Summer among the nine nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, who were announced Friday, Sept. 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Keystone, Laurent Gillieron) less

**FILE**Nile Rodgers, left, and singer Sylver Sharp, right, perform with their disco-funk group Chic during the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland on July 14, 2005. They join Madonna, heartland ... more

Photo: LAURENT GILLIERON, SUB

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The top six female finalists perform with Donna Summer, center, during the finale of American Idol at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Seen are from left, Ramiele Malubay, Amanda Overmyer, Syesha Mercado, Summer, Carly Smithson, Brooke White, and Kristy Lee Cook. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) ** NO SALES ** less

The top six female finalists perform with Donna Summer, center, during the finale of American Idol at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Seen are from left, Ramiele Malubay, Amanda ... more

Photo: Kevork Djansezian, STF

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Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol on Wednesday May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Mark Mainz/AP Images for Fox)

Photo: Mark Mainz, STR

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Donna Summer: 1948-2012

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Disco queen Donna Summer died today after a battle with cancer, reports say.